WATCH: Former Ohio State star Haskell Garrett discusses recovering from life-threatening accident
Haskell Garrett is entering the 2022 NFL Draft with a much different outlook than many of the young talent preparing for a life-changing future, or others on the cusp grinding for the chance to even make a practice squad.
Surprisingly — while every Ohio State fan and anyone with an interest in the Buckeyes are aware of the incident and casual college football fans likely recall hearing about Garret’s heroic act that left him shot in the face and literally fighting for his life — there were few details that publicly emerged from that late August night in 2020.
Now, the Buckeyes defensive standout is expected to hear his name called in Las Vegas this weekend, and while the timing may catch some off guard, Garrett delivered a raw, emotional recap of the events that took place in an appearance on Good Morning Football.
In an effort to share Haskell Garrett’s with the broad NFL audience the show draws, the first question was focused on him reliving the night that changed his life forever.
“It was in Columbus and it was a late night and was going to get my phone from my car,” Garrett began.
At approximately 1 a.m. on Aug. 30, 2020, Garrett returned to his off-campus apartment after a night out with friends when he realized he left his phone in his car. On his way to retrieve it, he saw a man and woman arguing across the street and was going to ignore it until he saw the man hit the woman.
“I saw another man hit a woman and one of our core values at The Ohio State is Title IX, respect women,” Garrett said. “Immediately, my instincts are to go help that woman.”
“I went over there, intervened and pushed him away from her. I look towards her and then when I looked back, everything just went black. Next thing I knew, I was picking myself up in a puddle of blood.”
The Ohio State standout then shared the intimate details of where he truly believed he was going to die.
Haskell Garrett is a proven fighter
Garrett immediately ran back to his apartment a few blocks away to get help from his roommate, former linebacker Pete Werner, who called an ambulance. Meanwhile, police who were called to the scene followed his blood trail to his apartment.
The bullet went in one cheek and out the other and Garrett lost five teeth. It required multiple surgeries, including dental work and bone grafts, but just 55 days later, he played in Ohio State’s 52-17 win over Nebraska and recorded his first career sack.
He ultimately appeared in all eight games for the Buckeyes during the pandemic-shorted 2020 season and finished the year with 20 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception that he returned for a touchdown despite being on a liquid diet. He was then named a first-team All-American by CBS Sports.
Looking back now, Garrett credits his faith, family and teammates for helping him through a situation that could have ended his career – if not his life.
“I was determined,” said Garrett, who is set to hear his name called in this week’s NFL Draft. “I have been going through trials and tribulations my whole life, so this was just another way of God telling me, ‘You’re my best soldier, so you’re going to go through this and be an example for everybody.
“I wasn’t about to let something like this distract me or get me off course from what was destined for me, and that was to be a starting defensive tackle for The Ohio State, so I was determined more than ever.”